University of Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith’s teams have been giant killers the past few years in nonconference play, knocking off Louisville, Butler and North Carolina in respective seasons.

But the Gophers likely won’t have a chance to play a top-10 opponent this year before Big Ten play.

Southern Cal, Bucknell and Virginia Tech highlight Minnesota’s 2011-12 nonconference schedule released today. The Trojans and Bison are coming off NCAA tournament appearances, but aren’t expected to open the season ranked in the top 25.

The Gophers open the regular season Nov. 11 against Bucknell at Williams Arena. It will be a homecoming game for 6-foot-11 center and Roseville native Mike Muscala, who was the Patriot League player of the year and an honorable mention All-American last season.

In the Old Spice Classic Nov. 24-27 in Orlando, Fla., Minnesota opens against DePaul and could play the winner of Texas Tech and Indiana State. Other teams in the field include Wake Forest, Arizona State, Dayton and Fairfield.

After that trip, the Gophers return home to play Nov. 30 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge against Virginia Tech. It’s the beginning of a six-game home stretch before Big Ten play, which includes a Dec. 3 game against USC.

Minnesota’s two exhibition home games are Nov. 1 against Bemidji State and Nov. 7 against Augustana College.

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